I remember the first time I read about the nine muses. When I was 5 or 6, I picked up D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths. The distinctive yellow and orange-covered book was one that I spent many hours pouring over, learning the names of the gods and goddesses and their tales. The muses were only given a few pages in the book. Disappointing. But I learned all their names and I started thinking about how each one effects my life, then and now.

Clio, the muse of history, awoke in me as I read the book of myths. How I longed to be there in ancient Greece and Rome to see the temples devoted to these gods and goddesses. She has fostered in me an interest in mythology and religion, of the Claudians and Elizabeth I.

I discovered Calliope, muse of epic poetry, within the book of myths too. The Iliad and the Odyssey were my first epics. I discovered I had a taste for the saga. J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, Stephen King's The Dark Tower Saga, and even Douglas Adam's Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. I want to wander in Middle Earth with Frodo, chase the man in black across the desert, and never lose track of my towel.

Euterpe, muse of music and lyric poetry, gave me hidden musical talent that I wish I had fostered when I was growing up. I taught myself how to read music and I have played instruments ranging from melodic percussion to the saxophone to the piano. I don't think I could live without music in my life.

Shakespeare introduced me to Melpomene and Thalia. If asked to decide which muse moved Shakespeare's hand greater, I could not. I weep for Hamlet and Ophelia. I laugh at the witty banter between Benedick and Beatrice. It took me many years to learn to balance these two goddesses in my life.

I'm not sure if Erato, muse of love poetry, blessed me or cursed me: her kiss can be both sweet and acrid. I look back at all my loves and my losses and I can see how Erato has molded me. She helped me define the relationships I have now. She speaks through me in my most intimate moments with others. I am her instrument.

Urania, muse of astronomy, opened my eyes when I first looked up and saw her in all her glory. The night sky has always intrigued me and when I was growing up, I would spend hours pouring over star charts and mapping each star in my sky atlas to the glittering lights overhead. Like Calliope, she gave me the passion for adventure and exploration. To see what's out there.

I was only half-blessed by Tersichore, muse of choral song and dance. I've always loved to sing, from my first solo in 1st grade ("There'd be a lot less people to worry about and a lot more people who care") to belting it out for thousands in my a cappella group in college. Dancing is another story..

Polyhymnia, muse of sacred poetry, showed me that I could find inspiration in the divine. I remember the first time I learned to sing the "Halleluia Chorus" from Handel's Messiah. I saw divinity in that music. When I performed the piece with a hundred other voices joining mine, I became one with the divine. I can still hear the ringing of the last chord. Forever, and ever, amen.

The nine muses are the traditional symbols of inspiration. Come and explore how they have inspired other members of Illuminé.